The Heart of Okinawa, Embodied in Its Language.
Shimakutubashimakutuba
Passed down from our ancestors, the Okinawan language, Shimakutuba, is a living legacy. Within its sounds, the spirit of the land, its culture, and the emotions of its people are preserved. We invite you to discover the world of this language, which has been so carefully cherished on this island.
According to the third edition of the "Atlas of the World’s Languages in Danger," published by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in February 2009, approximately 2,500 languages worldwide are at risk of extinction. Among them, the following eight languages in Japan are listed as endangered.